‘Doing’ in secure settings
Personal narrative My work as an occupational therapist began when I was a student in York. I qualified in 1985 and then began practising in Edinburgh. Throughout my career I…
The changing face of occupational therapy in mental health
Personal narrative I am the professional head of occupational therapy at the South London and Maudsley Foundation National Health Service (NHS) Trust, responsible for professional advice to the occupational therapy…
Powerful stories and challenging messages
Personal narrative It was Monday 10 December 1980, 5 days before my fourteenth birthday when I first experienced what I called a ‘fright night’. Often when my mother, stepfather, two…
Broadening horizons
Personal narratives As occupational therapists, we both have been involved in acute mental health practice for the majority of our professional careers. Our journeys have been very different, but we…
Twists and turns
Personal narrative My entry into occupational therapy was completely serendipitous. I had left school at 17 years of age, having failed to achieve anything of academic significance. After 3 years…
